Anthelminthic drugs and glomerulonephritis

Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is recognized as a significant contributor to kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity can cause damage to different segments of the nephron based on individual drug mechanisms. This nephrotoxicity can present as tubulointerstitial disease, acute hemodynamic-mediated injury, crystalline nephropathy, or glomerulonephritis. Drug classes known to cause nephrotoxicity include antimicrobials, anticancer, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Glomerular disease caused by medication usually presents with proteinuria, hematuria, and decreased clearance. Anthelminthic drugs, which eliminate parasitic helminths, are known to initiate and exacerbate glomerulonephritis, as well as modulate pathways involved in the progression of the disease. However, therapeutic uncertainties remain regarding the latter effect, highlighting the need for further research to explore the potential nephrotoxic or nephroprotective properties of anthelminthic drugs.